An Introduction - Or Reintroduction

I see so many posts generated by AI. They're too polished and miss that spark of human connection. The truth is, if I wanted AI to answer a question, I could do that myself. What it can't do is connect, and when I look at everything I do, that's what it comes down to.

I wanted to do something a bit more real so here's an introduction - or reintroduction - to who I am and what I'm up to.

Today is an anniversary for me, but not the cool kind. Twelve years ago I failed my classification. All Paralympic athletes have to be classified to determine whether their disability is severe enough for the Paralympic Games, which categories they get put into, and what sort of adaptive aids they can use in competition.

I'd always passed this test with flying colours, but under the new rules I failed. I cannot even begin to describe how heartbreaking it was to hear the words that my career in sport was over. I'd given everything to it

We appealed and protested the decision, and unfortunately, made things worse because my disability, CRPS, is no longer allowed at the Paralympics.

Overnight, I had to navigate life after sport and it was really hard. I always describe it as feeling like I'd been dumped in the middle of the ocean and I had to swim to shore, but didn't even know what direction to pick.

I didn't have an exit plan from sport. I didn't know what I wanted to do or who I wanted to be after sport. I went through a complete identity crisis: I'm an elite athlete and then all of a sudden I'm not. I'm a disabled person who wasn't disabled enough. That was really difficult to come to terms with.

Now, I think of this as my crucible moment. I got thrown into this experience that I couldn't control and I came out on the other side much stronger.

It took me time to figure things out, but I have a wonderful life now. I work in marketing, I'm a children's author, a public speaker, an inclusion champion and I also get involved in loads of voluntary giveback initiatives which I love doing. Over the next few weeks I'm going to share a bit about all these different facets of my life with no filters or scripts.

If you’re reading this, I’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment, introduce yourself and share what you’re passionate about.